Kevin "Butch" Barry is getting an opportunity to live his dream of coaching in the National Football League.

The Sturgeon Bay native has been hired as an assistant offensive line coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers following 13 seasons of coaching at the college level. Barry, 36, began his new job Monday.

"My dream was always to be in the NFL," said Barry, in a telephone interview Monday night. "I wasn't a good enough player to make it, so to be here as a coach is a dream. It's really cool."

Barry spent the past five seasons at Central Michigan University, where he served as offensive line coach in 2014 and tight ends coach from 2010 to 2013. Barry said he had "a great job" at CMU, but his future there became uncertain when Chippewas' head coach Dan Enos left in late January to become Bret Bielema's offensive coordinator at Arkansas.

"I was still under contract, but I didn't know who the new coach was going to be so I obviously began searching for other opportunities," said Barry. "I was fortunate to have some good connections in this situation with the right people. Opportunity and timing played a big part in how it all worked out."

Barry said Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Harold Goodwin helped hook him up with Buccaneers head coach Lovie Smith. Barry served as a graduate assistant for Goodwin in 2002 and 2003, when Goodwin was CMU's offensive line coach. Goodwin left for the NFL in 2004 and spent three seasons on Smith's coaching staff with the Chicago Bears.

Barry had an interview last week with Smith, who just completed his first season as the Buccaneers' head coach, and "it went great."

"I've been coaching for 13 years and each year has been a step in my development and I've grown as a coach," said Barry. "So, yeah, I definitely think I'm ready. And the Buccaneers feel I'm ready also.

"(Smith) is a great person and a great coach, so I'm thrilled to be working for him. I'm ecstatic to be here."

Barry will work under Buccaneers offensive line coach George Warhop, who's been coaching in the NFL since 1996. Warhop is in his second season with the Buccaneers and previously served as offensive line coach for the St. Louis Rams, Arizona Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers and Cleveland Browns.

"I need to be the O-line coach's right-hand man and in charge of computer work with (play) drawings, assignments and game plans," said Barry. "I think I'll also have a role in the development of the young guys and getting them ready for when they have to step into action.

"I have no idea yet what the talent level is like here or any of that. But I'm very optimistic, very positive and excited about next season."

Barry played for Sturgeon Bay High School's Division 3 state runner-up football team in 1993 and graduated in 1996. He went on to play football at Central Michigan University and later began his coaching career there as a graduate assistant.

Barry also coached at Southwest Minnesota State University (2004-05), Michigan Tech University (2006-08) and North Greenville University in South Carolina (2009) before returning to CMU.

The Chippewas produced two NFL offensive linemen while Barry was on the team's coaching staff, including Eric Fisher, who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 draft by the Kansas City Chiefs, and Darren Keyton of the Detroit Lions.

Barry's offensive line unit last season paved the way for running back Thomas Rawls to rush for 1,103 yards and 10 touchdowns in nine games.

Now that he has his foot in the door, Barry said he's going to work hard to have a successful coaching career in the NFL.

"I would like to do a great job, obviously, and at some point be a lead offensive line coach," he said. "But one step at a time. That's how I've approached my entire career."